B1G hockey: Now I understand.......

About almost two years ago, the college hockey world became aware of the Big 10 hockey conference. The stage was small, and not many people gave the idea a chance. Big 10 commissioner Jim Delaney went as far to say that hockey "just won't work" in a conference known for it's football and basketball teams. So with that Mr. Delaney gave the idea to current Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alavarez. Barry can do many things, win games, bring stability to football and get influxes of money. That last one, is what sealed the Big 10. Currently all Big 10 members receive a $32 Million dollar stipend for being in the conference. That's the perk of being in the big 10. However, within that conference and prior to Penn State, their had only been five mens hockey teams. 1 short of the minimum required.

So when Penn State came aboard, Barry began his pitch game to which I bought in. All in. Barry went to the widely publicized Badger football and basketball games to gain support for the hockey conference. He brought everyone aboard and brought money to boot. As it stands, each hockey school within the Big 10 will receive a total of $7 Million extra from the network. When that number arose, every team in the possible conference joined in. From Minnesota to Michigan, they were all in.

Like wise, I really enjoyed the prospect of a super power conference in all other sports merging to create an awesome conference in hockey. I never looked at the specifics. Just that my Badgers would see more teams. I was blinded, and didn't see much beyond the idea of "B1G" hockey. Judging from many fans at this year's WCHA final five, similar schools such as Minnesota, Michigan, and Michigan State were just as blinded.

But now, the time has surfaced. The WCHA will fracture into a league similar to Atlantic Hockey. Stretched from the North East corner of Alabama to just under the Arctic circle in Alaska, the WCHA is all but certain to fracture again. The CCHA has folded, and along with it 43 years of hockey tradition. A new conference has formed and will likely send a good team to the cellar every year because of it: the NCHC.

I admit, I was blind. If I would have looked at everything in a more vibrant view, I would have seen that the only real rivalry in the Big 10 will be the Wisconsin - Minnesota series. Michigan has the most NCAA championships in college hockey, but they don't live and breath by the sport as do fans of North Dakota and Minnesota. A game featuring Wisconsin and Ohio State will do little to fill the Kohl Center. Similar to a game involving Penn State and Minnesota. This will likely render Marriucci arena at less than 1/4 capacity. Maybe the wait list will finally go down.

The point is, college hockey is worse off thanks to the Big 10 and Barry Alvarez. I'm honestly sorry that I bought into the hysteria of what was supposed to be a good conference. I feel sorry for all the student athletes in the new look WCHA that will likely never experience what once was the best conference in the nation. That winning the Mcnaughton cup or the Broadmoore trophy didn't just guarantee a spot in the playoffs, but more likely than not guaranteed a decent post season run.

I can say that I am not looking forward to the Big 10 championship. It's going to be a sad display of great hockey programs that became too hungry for cash. After all, hockey is one of the few remaining college sports that actually make a profit.

Good luck in the future to the WCHA, and NCHC. Hockey will be so much different. I'll always be a fan of my Badgers. Just sad that I won't be able to see them make history at least once a year playing CC,Denver, UND, and all the other fine programs.

Almost makes you want to be the fan of another program......almost.....